cover image

Delphi

Archaeological site and town in Greece / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Dear Wikiwand AI, let's keep it short by simply answering these key questions:

Can you list the top facts and stats about Delphi?

Summarize this article for a 10 year old

SHOW ALL QUESTIONS

Delphi (/ˈdɛlf, ˈdɛlfi/;[1] Greek: Δελφοί [ðelˈfi]),[lower-alpha 1] in legend previously called Pytho (Πυθώ), was an ancient sacred precinct and the seat of Pythia, the major oracle who was consulted about important decisions throughout the ancient classical world. The ancient Greeks considered the centre of the world to be in Delphi, marked by the stone monument known as the Omphalos of Delphi (navel).

Quick facts: Location, Coordinates, Type, Height, History...
Delphi
Δελφοί
Delphic Tholos
The Athena temple complex, including the Delphic Tholos. The background is the Pleistos River Valley.
Delphi is located in Greece
Delphi
Delphi
Shown within Greece
LocationPhocis, Greece
Coordinates38°28′56″N 22°30′05″E
TypeRuins of an ancient sacred precinct
HeightTop of a scarp 500 metres (1,600 ft) maximum off the valley floor
History
CulturesAncient Greece
Site notes
ArchaeologistsFrench School at Athens
OwnershipHellenic Republic
ManagementMinistry of Culture and Sports
Public accessAccessible for a fee
WebsiteE. Partida (2012). "Delphi". Odysseus. Ministry of Culture and Sports, Hellenic Republic.
Official nameArchaeological Site of Delphi
TypeCultural
Criteriai, ii, iii, iv and vi
Designated1987 (12th session)
Reference no.393
RegionEurope
Close
Map_greek_sanctuaries-en.svg
Delphi among the main Greek sanctuaries

According to the Suda, Delphi took its name from the Delphyne, the she-serpent (drakaina) who lived there and was killed by the god Apollo (in other accounts the serpent was the male serpent (drakon) Python).[5][6]

The sacred precinct occupies a delineated region on the south-western slope of Mount Parnassus.

It is now an extensive archaeological site, and since 1938 a part of Parnassos National Park. The precinct is recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in having had a great influence in the ancient world, as evidenced by the various monuments built there by most of the important ancient Greek city-states, demonstrating their fundamental Hellenic unity.[7]

Adjacent to the sacred precinct is a small modern town of the same name.

Oops something went wrong: